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An eloquent and sometimes even erotic book, the Philosophical Enquiry was long dismissed as a piece of mere juvenilia. However, Burke's analysis of the relationship between emotion, beauty, and art form is now recognized as not only an important and influential work of aesthetic theory, but also one of the first major works in European literature on the Sublime, a subject that has fascinated thinkers from Kant and Coleridge to the philosophers and critics of today.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`It is concisely and efficiently annotated, and its vivid introduction brings out, among other things, the deep interrelations between Burke's views on art and his political outlook, even in this early work.' Claude Rawson, London Review of Books

'must be one of the most useful additions to the Oxford World's Classics series for some time'Robin Jarvis, Bristol Polytechnic

About the Author

Adam Phillips has been working in traditional 2D animation for Disney since early 1993, with eight of those years spent in special effects. With all his free time, he writes and animates short stories for his personal website and online gallery, www.biteycastle.com. Most recently, Adam convinced US band, Ween, to let him animate the video for their single "Transdermal Celebration." All involved were happy with the result, and an optimized QuickTime version of the video can be found on the book's CD. Adam is quite small, but has big hands.

Top customer reviews

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Edmund Burke has written one of the most wonderful introductions to this subject one could hope to find. Barely more than 150 pages he writes with brevity and clarity about the varies but related concepts of taste, the sublime, and beauty. Despite being written over 250 years ago, his thoughts remain relevant to modern studies. I personally have explored to some lengths these concepts (particularly beauty) by pursing both ancient and modern works from philosophical, religious, literary sources, as well as science and psychology. When speaking about perceptions in both their physical and mental aspects, it is very difficult to discern one from the other. But this is a necessary challenge as it falls not only into the camp describing reality (the way things simply are) but that of values. Values bridge the world to the individual, so the discussion is a balance of objective, analytic reasoning and subject, personal experience. What is important to remember is that neither side of this seemingly contradictory set can overcome the other. Any where from the more esoteric concept 'sublime' to the ever mysterious 'beauty', must always reside as an experience. Very special experiences, yes, and those that we wish to share. The terror of the unknown, the incomprehensible, such as the limitlessness of space to the glory of God, are not just subjects tucked away in the corners of our mind, but are shared through casual discussion and rigorous debate of physics, philosophy and theology. That which commands our attention--an enchanting face, a Van Gogh painting, cathedrals, a generous act--are experienced as different ways of communicating and sharing with others; what we think and how we see ideas and relationships. An investigation into the sublime and beauty in our lives is not just an engagement into that which is pleasing to humans, but what and how we value the world and every thing within it.

The creation of a young Edmund Burke. Although often overshadowed by his "Reflections," this work I call a discourse of what makes us humans, and what causes the desires and wants we collectively share. It is an early work, but, each section is written with an elegant prose that few writers throughout the centuries have yet to match. His thoughts soar. A work of great beauty, because it makes us think about ourselves and what we can do for our mutual society and for each other.

A great precursor to the "Reflections." A must-have, must-read for any and all interested in a philosophical review of our common history. Burke never disappoints.

Well, its Enlightenment philosophy so it is pretty dry. I did like what Burke had to say about beauty and the sublime in art. My lil sister is an artist and I bought her a copy for her birthday and she liked it as well.